Bowlby's theory

Question 1

What does the monotropic theory of attachment state? (3)

Answer 1

• Bowlby’s monotropic theory of attachment suggests attachment is important for a child’s survival.
• Attachment behaviors in both babies and their caregivers have evolved through natural selection.
• This means infants are biologically programmed with innate behaviors that ensure that attachment occurs.

Question 2

State the mnemonic for Bowlby’s theory of attachment (5)

Answer 2

A (Adaptive)
Snap (Social Releasers)
Chat (Critical Period)
Makes (Monotropy)
Images (Internal Working Model)

Question 3

Describe Bowlby’s theory of attachment using the mnemonic: Adaptive

Answer 3

Attachments are adaptive = makes them more likely to survive

Question 4

Describe Bowlby’s theory of attachment using the mnemonic: Social Releasers (3)

Answer 4

1. Infants possess social releasers = elicit caregiving & facilitates interactive + innate two-way relationship between baby and caregiver
2. Physical: Big eyes, button nose = features that make babies appear cute
3. Behavioural: Crying, cooing and smiling to get attention

Question 5

What does bowlby’s theory suggest to be the critical period for developing an attachment? What happens if an attachment is not made by this time? (3)

Answer 5

• This theory also suggests that there is a critical period for developing at attachment (about 0 - 2.5 years).
• If an attachment has not developed during this time period then then it may well not happen at all.
• Attachment not formed during this period = child damaged for life - socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically

Question 6

What is monotropy? What does it suggest? (2)

Answer 6

-A child has an innate (i.e. inborn) need to attach to one main attachment figure. This is called monotropy.
This concept of monotropy suggests that there is one relationship which is more important than all the rest.
-Although Bowlby did not rule out the possibility of other attachment figures for a child, he did believe that there should be a primary bond which was much more important than any other (usually the mother).

Question 7

So how do attachments other than the primary attachment develop?

Answer 7

Other attachments may develop in a hierarchy below this. An infant may therefore have a primary monotropy attachment to its mother, and below her the hierarchy of attachments may include its father, siblings, grandparents, etc.

Question 8

Describe Bowlby’s theory of attachment using the mnemonic: Internal Working Model (4)

Answer 8

• Through monotropic attachment - infant would form an internal working model → template for future relationship expectations
• cognitive framework comprising mental representations for understanding the world, self and others. A person’s interaction with others is guided by memories and expectations from their internal model which influence and help evaluate their contact with others.
• If child has strong healthy attachment = strong and healthy relationships in later life
• If child has negative relationship = have negative social and romantic relationships in later life

Question 9

What are the three main features of a healthy working model? When does this become part of a child’s personality?

Answer 9

There are three main features of the internal working model: (1) a model of others as being trustworthy, (2) a model of the self as valuable, and (3) a model of the self as effective when interacting with others. Around the age of three these seem to become part of a child’s personality and thus affects their understanding of the world and future interactions with others.

Question 10

Who research supports Bowlby’s theory? (2) How?

Answer 10

+Lorenz: the attachment process of imprinting is an innate process which has a critical period. Also, the geese also attached to a single person/animal or object, thus showing monotropic behavior. + reflects on IWM in future mating life =>supports idea that there’s an innate drive in animals to form attachments, as this increases survival
+The idea of monotropy and hierarchy is supported by research into attachments formed by the Efe tribe of Congo. Efe women share the care of infants in the tribe and take turns to breast feed them, however the infants return to their natural mother at night and form a stable bond with the mother.The idea of monotropy and hierarchy is supported by research into attachments formed by the Efe tribe of Congo.

Question 11

Who research does not support Bowlby? Why? what is the real world application of this

Answer 11

-Disproves the need of critical period to form attachments:
~Rutter’s Romanian Orphan Study showed that attachments can form after the critical period.
~Koluchova twins: 2 boys raised in isolation beyond critical period & once rescued → through efforts of their adoptive mothers, showed no signs of abnormal behaviour at 14
Formed close attachments to mothers and had stable relationships in adulthood
Highlights that role of “nurture” can be mitigating factor for children who don’t form attachments during critical period
+Real world practical application - suggests that children in foster care can lead normal lives